COMMITTEE - CURRICULUM
ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL ALDERSHOT
A VOLUNTARY ACADEMY IN THE DIOCESE OF
PORTSMOUTH
POLICY FOR ENGLISH
(September 2015)
VISION STATEMENT
As a Catholic family we welcome all and value Christ in everyone, whilst seeking the
highest possible achievements.
The School’s Vision and Mission Statements underpin this document.
THE NATURE OF ENGLISH
English is the basic language of communication in our society. Without communication
through language, effective learning cannot take place. English, therefore, occupies the
prime position within the core subjects of the Curriculum. English Language embraces the
main areas of communication; Writing, Reading and spoken language. These areas are
inextricably linked, depending on each other to convey, clarify, enhance and receive
communication and information.
We need communication skills to equip us for everyday life. Good communication skills are
required for the most basic routines to enable us to survive and function in a civilised
community.
Good language skills are also required for:
The expression of one’s own needs, emotions and spirituality;
The understanding of another’s needs, feelings and spirituality;
Resolving misunderstandings and conflicts;
Ascertaining information to make sense of the environment and infrastructure;
The acquisition of knowledge for personal interest and pleasure;
The acquisition and sharing of knowledge, data and skills to improve global lifestyle
through scientific, medical and technological development;
The expression of creativity through writing, poetry, singing, composing music etc.;
Most jobs in the work place.
English language is not taught simply to prepare pupils for a qualification required by
future employers – it is a language for life!
AIMS
At St. Joseph’s we aim to help children to develop as confident, enthusiastic and effective
learners.
Copyright: The Directors/GOVERNORS The Catholic Academy Trust in ALDERSHOT 2015
COMMITTEE - CURRICULUM
We therefore provide a stimulating environment of first and second hand experiences
across the curriculum so that every child will leave our school being able to enjoy and
appreciate language in all its forms. We aim to improve pupils mastery of skills within
reading, writing and spoken language.

Read to the best of his/her ability, with good comprehension from a wide variety of
text at his/her own level for pleasure and relaxation;

Speak confidently with intonation, clear diction, accurate grammar and style with
regard for his/her listener;

Listen with accuracy, paying attention to detail in order to process and retain
information in line with his/her own ability;

Write in a coherent fashion, developing expression through a range of writing forms
using accurate punctuation, spelling and grammar, in a style appropriate for the
purpose;

To extend vocabulary and recognise how advanced vocabulary enhances both the
spoken and written word.

Present his/her work using neat, legible, joined handwriting.

Become a confident communicator.
IMPLEMENTATION
The teaching of English at St. Joseph’s will take place within the framework of our English
Scheme of Work.
At KS1 children study Language for 6.5 hours per week.
At KS2 Children study Language for 5 hours per week.
OBJECTIVES
At St. Joseph’s Primary Academy we believe that a child who can communicate effectively
has every reason to be confident and have good self-esteem.
Language development is concerned with acquiring and applying a set of skills and a body
of knowledge about language and its use. The natural chronology for acquiring these
skills is listening, then speaking, then reading and then writing. All four skills will
eventually develop concurrently.
Language learning at St Joseph’s nurtures and extends this natural development by
providing relevant and meaningful opportunities across the curriculum, appropriate to the
child’s stage of development.
To this end children will:
(In Writing:)

be given opportunities to write within a purposeful context, in a variety of forms and
for a range of audiences, including themselves;
Copyright: The Directors/GOVERNORS The Catholic Academy Trust in ALDERSHOT 2015
COMMITTEE - CURRICULUM

be encouraged and provided with the appropriate range of resources to write
independently using cursive from Early Years;

be taught to use punctuation and grammar correctly to clarify meaning;

be helped to understand why it is sometimes necessary to plan and draft writing;

be given meaningful purposes for writing;

be encouraged to participate in collaborative writing;

be assured that all attempts will be valued;

be given time and opportunity to reflect, discuss and evaluate upon their own and
others’ writing.
(In Reading:)
The children will:

be able to read independently and with understanding, to the best of their ability;

have a love of books and enjoy reading for pleasure;

have care and respect for books;

develop a sense of responsibility for their own reading by making informed choices;

Timetabled use of the School library which allows children time to read their own
range of literature:
(In Spoken Language:)
The children will:

Be encouraged to talk and listen carefully and respond appropriately;

Speak clearly and convey ideas confidently using standard English

Listen to and respect the views of others;

To justify ideas with reason, ask questions, negotiate and select the appropriate
register for effective communication

Express their own ideas effectively and respond to ideas to which they have listened;

Participate in Drama activities such as class plays, productions, group performances of
scripts or poetry; role–play while evaluating their role.
These objectives will be achieved through:
Copyright: The Directors/GOVERNORS The Catholic Academy Trust in ALDERSHOT 2015
COMMITTEE - CURRICULUM
The English Scheme of Work ensures opportunities for reading, writing and the learning of
grammar, punctuation and spelling. The Scheme of Work clearly states a progressive
programme of work through both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. School Guidelines for
Speaking and Listening ensure continuity and progression through the school. In KS2,
there are weekly spelling tests which are appropriate to each child’s level. Handwriting is
monitored closely to ensure high standards are maintained.
English is taught through a balanced variety of teaching methods. Pupils will be given
opportunities to learn through a wide range of experiences and tasks; through focused
analysis of written texts; appropriate use of video and other visual and audio material;
educational visits; published learning material; teacher prepared materials; analysis of
peer group work; Computing and home set tasks. This list represents a comprehensive,
multi-sensory bank of methods which may be employed by teachers.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Some pupils experience learning difficulties, which affect their progress in literacy. It is the
policy of St. Joseph’s to identify these difficulties at the earliest opportunity and to provide
support as soon as practicable. Individual or small group programmes of work will be
implemented, using appropriate materials and strategies to aid the pupils’ development, so
that they may achieve their full potential. (see Special Needs policy.) The class teacher
and SENCO, where appropriate, ensure that these strategies are employed within the
class.
Pupils with learning difficulties receive reassurance and positive support to raise self–
esteem and academic achievement to the best of their ability.
It is understood that gifted and talented pupils also have special needs and differentiated
programmes of work within the curriculum will ensure that all children have the
opportunity to reach their full potential. This includes our G and T programme.
NUMERACY
Children will be taught the language of Numeracy in Numeracy lessons, as a discreet
numerical activity and also through other curriculum areas such as rhymes in English and
chronology in History.
Computing
The use of computers will facilitate the development of language through the editing and
publishing process, spell checks and thesaurus, in addition to promoting collaborative
opportunities.
The use of computing may both encourage and assist children with special needs in
communicating their ideas and encouraging progress. For them, and other pupils, it may
reflect dictating opportunities. Children should have the opportunity to compose directly
onto the computer.
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Through language development, children become aware of new avenues of expression.
They will then be able to increase their ability to interact with others and reflect on their
own and others’ views with increasing understanding and analytical perception. They will
appreciate their own important place within the school environment and within society in
general.
Copyright: The Directors/GOVERNORS The Catholic Academy Trust in ALDERSHOT 2015
COMMITTEE - CURRICULUM
RESOURCES
The School has a wide selection of schemes to teach reading, grammar, punctuation and
spelling.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Any activity undertaken within the teaching and learning of English will take place with
regard to the Health and Safety policy of the School.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
All pupils will have equal opportunity to reach their full potential across the English
Language Curriculum, regardless of their race, gender, cultural background, ability or of
any physical or sensory disability. Equality of opportunity is essential in this curriculum
area as it provides pupils with access to other areas in the primary years and in the future.
If all other factors are the same, teachers will have similar expectations of bilingual pupils
as monolingual pupils. However, where the parents of the pupil do not speak English, or
speak very limited English, the child’s English development will be hindered, as they will
be learning in their second language. It may be necessary to give extra support to these
pupils with a Second Language Support Assistant.
The principles and practice of diversity and race equality are integrated into the teaching
and learning of English. Attainment and progress data will be monitored and supportive
action will be taken to improve any underachievement due to racial bias and that
assessments are free of any cultural bias.
ASSESSMENT
In line with the new curriculum, attainment will be measured at the end of each year
against the NC POS for the relevant year. Pupils’ attainment will be assessed using tests
and teacher assessment at the end of KS1 and tests at the end of KS2. EYFS will be
assessed using the new baseline assessment introduced in September 2015.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This document is a statement of the aims and strategies for teaching and learning English
in St. Joseph’s Catholic School Aldershot. It was reviewed by Mrs Mary Geen through
consultation with the Staff and Headteacher and Governors.
DATE OF APPROVAL :
September 2015
REVIEW DATE:
September 2018
Signed: Mr. W. James
Headteacher
Dr Campbell McCafferty CBE
Chair of Governors
Copyright: The Directors/GOVERNORS The Catholic Academy Trust in ALDERSHOT 2015